Travel Blanket System

ABSTRACT

A travel blanket system for offering warmth and comfort is provided. The travel blanket system comprises a blanket having a top side, a bottom side opposite the top side, a top edge, a bottom edge opposite the top edge, a first side edge between and substantially perpendicular to the top edge and the bottom edge, and a second side edge between and substantially perpendicular to the top edge and the bottom edge. A pillow is mountable to the top side nearingly adjacent the top edge blanket. A securing mechanism is mounted to the blanket. The blanket is rollable from an open configuration to a closed configuration along the top side of the blanket from the top edge of the blanket to the bottom edge of the blanket. The pillow is completely wrapped within the blanket when the blanket is in the rolled configuration. The securing mechanism releasably secures the blanket in the rolled configuration.

CLAIM OF PRIORITY

This patent application claims priority under 35 USC 119 (e) (1) from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/439,266 filed Dec. 27, 2016, of Yvette Williams herewith entitled, “Travel Buddy,” which is incorporated herein by reference as though the same were set forth in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention pertains to the field of travel blanket systems, and more specifically to the field of travel blanket systems for use bus, airline, train, and automobile passengers offering travelers the warmth and comfort they desire, in a package they can easily carry aboard.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Millions of people enjoy travel each year by bus, train, plane, or automobile and wish the experience was more comfortable than it is. Seeing the country by intercity bus or a charter bus-tour, for example, is a great and relatively inexpensive way to travel. Unfortunately, however, the interiors of buses are generally kept cool to keep their drivers awake and alert; and while this is no doubt a good idea in terms of safety, it can also keep the bus's passengers chilly and uncomfortable during a ride they would otherwise enjoy.

The prior art has put forth several designs for a travel blanket. Among these are:

US Patent Application No. 2013/0001262 to Shirin Razavi provides a blanket backpack for easily transporting and securing a blanket to a wearer. The blanket backpack comprises a backpack and an attached blanket, with straps and arms. It also includes a mattress pad and a pillow. The blanket is stored inside the backpack when not in use. To use the blanket, the backpack unzips to allow the blanket to be unfolded. The straps are unsnapped from the backpack, then threaded through slits in the blanket, then snapped back into place. This reversal of the straps allows the user to wear the blanket like a backpack, securing it in place. Arms extending from the straps have a hook-and-loops fastener which is used to attach the arms to each other or the straps and further secure the blanket backpack to the wearer.

U.S. Pat. No. 8,256,045 to Ann Cruz provides a child sleeping system comprising a blanket, a pillow, pillow band, and a carrying pouch. The blanket has a generally rectangular configuration and a length and a width. The pillow has a generally rectangular configuration filled with a non-allergenic material, and has a length and width, at least one of the pillow length and width in a predetermined dimensional relationship with at least one of the blanket length and width. The carrying pouch has a generally rectangular configuration, defines an opening at the first edge and communicates with the blanket second edge; the carrying pouch has a length and width in a predetermined dimensional relationship with at least one of the pillow length and width. The carrying pouch is adapted to receive the blanket and pillow when the pillow is folded over and the blanket side edges are folded over the pillow.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,785,219 to Jeffrey J. Kraft provides a combination knapsack including a mat permanently attached to one of the walls of a main storage compartment and a flap permanently attached to another of the walls of the main storage compartment. In a storage mode of use, the mat is completely retained within the main storage compartment of the knapsack and the flap covers the opening to the main storage compartment. In an operational mode of use, the mat is fully extended outside the knapsack and the flap is either on the knapsack or on the mat to be used as a headrest or pillow. In another embodiment, the knapsack further comprises a blanket that may be closed about the legs of the wearer in a sitting position and an insulating hand warming muff.

None of these prior art references describe the present invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a travel blanket system for use bus, airline, train, and automobile passengers offering travelers the warmth and comfort they desire, in a package they can easily carry aboard.

The present invention is a travel blanket system for offering warmth and comfort. The travel blanket system comprises a blanket having a top side, a bottom side opposite the top side, a top edge, a bottom edge opposite the top edge, a first side edge between and substantially perpendicular to the top edge and the bottom edge, and a second side edge opposite the first side edge between and substantially perpendicular to the top edge and the bottom edge. A pillow is mountable to the top side of the blanket nearingly adjacent the top edge of the blanket. A securing mechanism is mounted to the blanket. The blanket is rollable from an open configuration to a closed configuration along the top side of the blanket from the top edge of the blanket to the bottom edge of the blanket. The pillow is completely wrapped within the blanket when the blanket is in the rolled configuration. The securing mechanism releasably secures the blanket in the rolled configuration.

In addition, the present invention includes a method for offering travelers the warmth and comfort. The method comprises providing a blanket having a top side, a bottom side opposite the top side, a top edge, a bottom edge opposite the top edge, a first side edge between and substantially perpendicular to the top edge and the bottom edge, and a second side edge opposite the first side edge between and substantially perpendicular to the top edge and the bottom edge, releasably securing a pillow to the top side of the blanket nearingly adjacent the top edge of the blanket, mounting a securing mechanism to the blanket, rolling the blanket from an open configuration to a closed configuration along the top side of the blanket from the top edge of the blanket to the bottom edge of the blanket, completely wrapping the pillow within the blanket when the blanket is in the rolled configuration, and releasably securing the blanket in the rolled configuration.

The present invention further includes a travel blanket system for offering warmth and comfort. The travel blanket system comprises a blanket having a top side, a bottom side opposite the top side, a top edge, a bottom edge opposite the top edge, a first side edge between and substantially perpendicular to the top edge and the bottom edge, and a second side edge opposite the first side edge between and substantially perpendicular to the top edge and the bottom edge. A pillow is releasably secured to the top side of the blanket nearingly adjacent the top edge of the blanket. A securing mechanism is mounted to the blanket. A pair of sewn-in shoulder straps is mounted to the bottom side of the blanket with the straps positioned nearingly adjacent the bottom edge of the blanket. A pair of slots is formed in the blanket for receiving the straps. The blanket is rollable from an open configuration to a closed configuration along the top side of the blanket from the top edge of the blanket to the bottom edge of the blanket. The pillow is completely wrapped within the blanket when the blanket is in the rolled configuration. The straps extend through the slots when the blanket is in the rolled configuration. The securing mechanism releasably secures the blanket in the rolled configuration.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view illustrating a travel blanket system, constructed in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view illustrating the travel blanket system, constructed in accordance with the present invention, with the straps exposed.

FIG. 3 is another rear perspective view illustrating the travel blanket system, constructed in accordance with the present invention, with the straps hidden.

FIG. 4 is a top plan view illustrating the travel blanket system, constructed in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a bottom plan view illustrating the travel blanket system, constructed in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention, hereinafter referred to as a Travel Blanket System, indicated generally at 10, provides a self-contained personal travel blanket and pillow system which is cozy, warm, and large enough to give anyone an adequate, comfy cover, and that zips-up into its own roll-up package when not in use.

The Travel Blanket System 10 of the present invention includes a blanket 12 having a top side 13, a bottom side 15 opposite the top side 13, a top edge 14, a bottom edge 16 opposite the top edge 14, a first side edge 18 between and substantially perpendicular to the top edge 14 and the bottom edge 16, and a second side edge 20 opposite the first side edge 18 between and substantially perpendicular to the top edge 14 and the bottom edge 16. The dimensions of the blanket 12 of the Travel Blanket System 10 are preferably approximately three and one-half (3½′) feet to four (4′) feet in width and five (5′) feet to six (6′) feet in length although constructing the blanket 12 in different dimensions is within the scope of the present invention. Furthermore, the blanket 12 can be produced in a wide variety of soft materials, from micro-fleece to wool-polyester blends, and in a variety of colors and patterns (plaids, stripes, etc.) to meet the range of user tastes.

The Travel Blanket System 10 of the present invention includes a pillow 22 mountable, either releasably or securedly, to the top side 13 of the blanket 12 nearingly adjacent the top edge 14 of the blanket 12. Preferably, the pillow 22 is substantially centered between the first side edge 18 of the blanket 12 and the second side edge 20 of the blanket 12. In a preferred embodiment, the pillow 22 is a memory-foam pillow or neck-support which rolls up within the blanket 12, as will be described below. Also, preferably, each pillow 22 is equipped with a zippered, machine-washable slipcover 24.

In addition, the Travel Blanket System 10 of the present invention includes a zipper mechanism 26 for releasably securing the blanket 12 in a rolled condition. The zipper mechanism 26 includes a first zipper portion 28 extending from a point on the first side edge 18 of the blanket 12 near the bottom edge 16 of the blanket 12, completely along the bottom edge 16, and to a point on the second side edge 20 of the blanket 12 near the bottom edge 16. The zipper mechanism 26 further includes a second zipper portion 30 extending from a point on the first side edge 18 of the blanket 12 approximately halfway between the top edge 14 of the blanket 12 and the bottom edge 16 of the blanket 12, along the bottom edge 16 of the blanket 12, and to a point on the second side edge 20 of the blanket 12 approximately halfway between the top edge 14 and the bottom edge 16. The first zipper portion 28 of the zipper mechanism 26 is capable of interacting with the second zipper portion 30 of the zipper mechanism 26 such that when the blanket 12 is rolled up from the top edge 14 of the blanket 12 down to the bottom edge 16 of the blanket 12, the first zipper portion 28 aligns with the second zipper portion 30 at the last roll of the blanket 12, and are then zipped together to complete the snug, secure, “bedroll” type closure. In this manner, the neck support or pillow 22 is simply rolled up within the blanket 12. This configuration serves to secure the blanket 12 in a tight roll when not in use, and keeps the zipper mechanism 26 from interfering with the user's face or neck.

It should be noted that while the blanker 12 of the Travel Blanket System 10 of the present invention has been described as being releasably secured in the rolled configuration by a zipper mechanism 26, it is within the scope of the present invention for the blanket 12 to releasably secured in the rolled configuration by other means including, but not limited to, snaps, buttons, clasps, hook and loop fasteners, etc.

Additionally, the Travel Blanket System 10 of the present invention includes a pair of sewn-in shoulder straps 32 mounted to the bottom side 15 of the blanket 12 so that it can be carried like a knapsack for easy transport. Preferably, the straps 32 are nearingly adjacent the bottom edge 16 of the blanket 12 and are reinforced, triple-stitched shoulder straps 32 so that once the blanket 12 and the pillow 22 have been rolled-up and zipped with the zipper mechanism 26, one simply slides into the shoulder straps 32 and is ready to board the bus, train, or other conveyance. A pair of slots 34 formed in the blanket 12 allow the straps 32 to extend through the blanket 12, when the blanket 12 is in the rolled configuration. Auxiliary zippers can be used to close the slots 34 when not in use.

Thus, where a traveler seeking warmth on a bus, plane, train, or in an automobile would otherwise need to carry along a blanket 12 and pillow 22 for use enroute, the Travel Blanket System 10 of the present invention puts these essentials together in a single, compact, easily carried, easily deployed package. When conditions aboard the conveyance turn chilly, the user simply unzips the zipper mechanism 26 that keeps the blanket 12 of the Travel Blanket System 10 rolled-up, unrolls the blanket 12, positions the blanket 12 and the pillow 22 as they desire, and achieves the comfort and warmth they want.

The Travel Blanket System 10 of the present invention offers travelers the utmost in comfort in a small, easily carried package. While useful on intercity and interstate bus trips, the Travel Blanket System 10 is equally handy for travel in trains, on planes, and in automobiles or recreational vehicles. Aside from the cozy comfort and warmth that it generates for the traveler, the great advantage of the Travel Blanket System 10 is clearly its all-in-one, self-contained design. Rolling out when needed, rolling up for portability between uses, the Travel Blanket System 10 is easy to transport along with one's carry-on bag (if any), and provide the user with his or her own personal blanket 12 and pillow 22, not with a blanket or pillow that others have used. Airline travelers, particularly, might appreciate this advantage of the Travel Blanket System 10. In short, the Travel Blanket System 10 presents itself as a terrific travel accessory, most especially, perhaps, for older travelers. The Travel Blanket System 10 has been conceived to meet a real need for comfort while traveling, a need shared by millions of users both within the United States and around the world.

Although this invention has been described with respect to specific embodiments, it is not intended to be limited thereto and various modifications which will become apparent to the person of ordinary skill in the art are intended to fall within the spirit and scope of the invention as described herein taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and the appended claims. 

1. A travel blanket system for offering warmth and comfort, the travel blanket system comprising: a blanket having a top side, a bottom side opposite the top side, a top edge, a bottom edge opposite the top edge, a first side edge between and substantially perpendicular to the top edge and the bottom edge, and a second side edge opposite the first side edge between and substantially perpendicular to the top edge and the bottom edge; a pillow mountable to the top side of the blanket nearingly adjacent the top edge of the blanket; and a securing mechanism mounted to the blanket; wherein the blanket is rollable from an open configuration to a closed configuration along the top side of the blanket from the top edge of the blanket to the bottom edge of the blanket; wherein the pillow is completely wrapped within the blanket when the blanket is in the rolled configuration; and wherein the securing mechanism releasably secures the blanket in the rolled configuration.
 2. The travel blanket system of claim 1 wherein the blanket has dimensions of approximately three and one-half (3½′) feet to four (4′) feet in width and five (5′) feet to six (6′) feet in length.
 3. The travel blanket system of claim 1 wherein the blanket is constructed from a soft material selected from the group consisting of micro-fleece and wool-polyester blends.
 4. The travel blanket system of claim 1 wherein the pillow is releasably secured to the top side of the blanket.
 5. The travel blanket system of claim 1 wherein the pillow is substantially centered between the first side edge of the blanket and the second side edge of the blanket.
 6. The travel blanket system of claim 1 wherein the pillow is a memory-foam pillow.
 7. The travel blanket system of claim 1 and further comprising a slipcover positionable over the pillow.
 8. The travel blanket system of claim 1 wherein the securing mechanism is a zipper mechanism having a first zipper portion extending from a point on the first side edge of the blanket near the bottom edge of the blanket, completely along the bottom edge, and to a point on the second side edge of the blanket near the bottom edge and a second zipper portion extending from a point on the first side edge of the blanket approximately halfway between the top edge of the blanket and the bottom edge of the blanket, along the bottom side of the blanket, and to a point on the second side edge of the blanket approximately halfway between the top edge and the bottom edge, the first zipper portion of the zipper mechanism interacting with the second zipper portion of the zipper mechanism such that when the blanket is rolled up from the top edge of the blanket down to the bottom edge of the blanket, the first zipper portion aligns with the second zipper portion at the last roll of the blanket, and are then zippable together.
 9. The travel blanket system of claim 1 wherein the securing mechanism is selected from the group consisting of snaps, buttons, clasps, and hook and loop fasteners.
 10. The travel blanket system of claim 1 and further comprising: a pair of sewn-in shoulder straps mounted to the bottom side of the blanket, the straps positioned nearingly adjacent the bottom edge of the blanket.
 11. The travel blanket system of claim 10 and further comprising: a pair of slots formed in the blanket for receiving the straps when the blanket is in the rolled configuration.
 12. A method for offering travelers the warmth and comfort, the method comprising: providing a blanket having a top side, a bottom side opposite the top side, a top edge, a bottom edge opposite the top edge, a first side edge between and substantially perpendicular to the top edge and the bottom edge, and a second side edge opposite the first side edge between and substantially perpendicular to the top edge and the bottom edge; releasably securing a pillow to the top side of the blanket nearingly adjacent the top edge of the blanket; mounting a securing mechanism to the blanket; rolling the blanket from an open configuration to a closed configuration along the top side of the blanket from the top edge of the blanket to the bottom edge of the blanket; completely wrapping the pillow within the blanket when the blanket is in the rolled configuration; and releasably securing the blanket in the rolled configuration.
 13. The travel blanket system for offering warmth and comfort, the travel blanket system comprising: a blanket having a top side, a bottom side opposite the top side, a top edge, a bottom edge opposite the top edge, a first side edge between and substantially perpendicular to the top edge and the bottom edge, and a second side edge opposite the first side edge between and substantially perpendicular to the top edge and the bottom edge; a pillow releasably secured to the top side of the blanket nearingly adjacent the top edge of the blanket; a securing mechanism mounted to the blanket; a pair of sewn-in shoulder straps mounted to the bottom side of the blanket, the straps positioned nearingly adjacent the bottom edge of the blanket; and a pair of slots formed in the blanket for receiving the straps; wherein the blanket is rollable from an open configuration to a closed configuration along the top side of the blanket from the top edge of the blanket to the bottom edge of the blanket; wherein the pillow is completely wrapped within the blanket when the blanket is in the rolled configuration; wherein the straps extend through the slots when the blanket is in the rolled configuration; and wherein the securing mechanism releasably secures the blanket in the rolled configuration.
 14. The travel blanket system of claim 13 wherein the blanket has dimensions of approximately three and one-half (3½′) feet to four (4′) feet in width and five (5′) feet to six (6′) feet in length.
 15. The travel blanket system of claim 13 wherein the blanket is constructed from a soft material selected from the group consisting of micro-fleece and wool-polyester blends.
 16. The travel blanket system of claim 13 wherein the pillow is substantially centered between the first side edge of the blanket and the second side edge of the blanket.
 17. The travel blanket system of claim 13 wherein the pillow is a memory-foam pillow.
 18. The travel blanket system of claim 13 and further comprising a slipcover positionable over the pillow.
 19. The travel blanket system of claim 13 wherein the securing mechanism is a zipper mechanism having a first zipper portion extending from a point on the first side edge of the blanket near the bottom edge of the blanket, completely along the bottom edge, and to a point on the second side edge of the blanket near the bottom edge and a second zipper portion extending from a point on the first side edge of the blanket approximately halfway between the top edge of the blanket and the bottom edge of the blanket, along the bottom side of the blanket, and to a point on the second side edge of the blanket approximately halfway between the top edge and the bottom edge, the first zipper portion of the zipper mechanism interacting with the second zipper portion of the zipper mechanism such that when the blanket is rolled up from the top edge of the blanket down to the bottom edge of the blanket, the first zipper portion aligns with the second zipper portion at the last roll of the blanket, and are then zippable together.
 20. The travel blanket system of claim 13 wherein the securing mechanism is selected from the group consisting of snaps, buttons, clasps, and hook and loop fasteners. 